Alaska:New
Report highlights condition of Alaska's waters - The Alaska
Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) announced the
release of its 2010 Integrated Report. Every two years DEC describes
the condition of state waters in accordance with the federal
Clean Water Act. The biennial Integrated Report categorizes them
to meet federal reporting requirements. It helps the state prioritize
waters for data gathering, watershed protection and restoration.

The Kenai River and three other
waterbodies that were listed as polluted now meet water quality
standards, according to the 2010 Integrated Report.

"The good news is that
private groups along with local and state government agencies
have worked together to improve the quality of water in some
of Alaska's most important rivers, lakes and bays," said
Lynn Kent, director of DEC's Water Division.

"The Kenai River was listed
for violating petroleum standards, but through the efforts of
the local watershed council, tribe, and government along with
state and federal agencies the problem was identified and a solution
found.

The problem on the Kenai River
was heavily polluting two-stroke boat motors. The solution focused
on educating boat owners on the problems with two-strokes, a
change in regulation to ban two-strokes on the lower river during
peak boating times, and financial incentives for boat owners
to buy cleaner running four-stroke motors.

Nine waters have been added
to the list of impaired and lack a waterbody recovery plan. Five
are creeks along a new U.S. Forest Service road on Prince of
Wales Island; another is Cottonwood Creek in Wasilla. The other
three, Salt Chuck Bay, Red Devil Creek and a portion of the Kuskokwim
River (downstream from Red Devil Creek) are listed due to problems
from historic mines. - More...
Tuesday - July 27, 2010

Southeast
Alaska: NEW
SOUTHEAST STATE FOREST ESTABLISHED - Alaska Governor Sean
Parnell signed House Bill 162, legislation that established a
State Forest in Southeast Alaska, into law on June 28, 2010.
This new forest, covering 25,291 acres, is the third in the Alaska
State Forest System and the first addition since the Tanana Valley
State Forest was established in 1983.

"This bill will create
jobs in Southeast Alaska and provide small businesses with more
economic opportunity," Governor Parnell said. "This
is the first step in our strategy to revitalize the timber industry
and expand wood energy in Southeast Alaska."

This designation of State lands
empowers the Alaska Division of Forestry (DOF) to invest in and
manage the land for a long-term timber supply for local processors,
while allowing for multiple other uses. DOF will move ahead with
projects for pre-commercial thinning of young stands of trees
that are now 20-plus years old. The work will be contracted to
the private sector for the thinning of approximately 1,000 acres
over the next 12 to 24 months. The thinning treatments will accelerate
the ability of the sites to grow commercially viable timber.
Pre-commercial thinning generally increases the wood quality
and usable volume-per-acre and extends wildlife diversity in
second growth timber stands.

The State's third and newest
forest includes 25,291 acres of land located in southern southeast
Alaska. Many of the Forest's 20 parcels are on Prince of Wales
Island. Other parcels are located on Gravina, Heceta, Kosciusko,
Revillagigedo, and Tuxekan islands. The remaining three parcels
are located on the mainland. While this State land allowed for
forestry activities prior to its designation as a State Forest,
the new SESF designation will enable the Division of Forestry
(DOF) to actively manage resources for a long-term supply of
timber to local processors. - More...
Tuesday - July 27, 2010

Sector Anchorage command center
received a VHF radio call at 11:15 a.m. from the captain of the
fishing vessel Josie reporting that the Cape Cross had gone aground
with seven crewmen aboard. The crew of the Josie safely retrieved
all seven crewmembers.

The Cape Cross was reported
taking on water Monday and listing 30-degrees to the port side.
The helicopter crew arrived on scene with the Cape Cross at 1:15
p.m. and delivered two dewatering pumps to the crews of the Cape
Cross and the Josie.

The Cape Cross is reported
having 3,000 gallons of diesel fuel aboard, light sheening has
been reported in the area.

Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit
Valdez is coordinating the response to minimize any potential
pollution to the area.

Coast Guard Sector Juneau command
center is also monitoring three other fishing vessels that have
gone aground in Southeast Alaska. The 34-foot fishing vessel
Arcola ran aground at Swanson Harbor at 7:19 a.m., the 34-foot
fishing vessel Windbreaker ran aground at Mab Island south of
Berners Bay at 6:51 a.m. and the 69-foot crabbing vessel Chevelle
ran aground east of Annette Island in Revillagigedo Channel at
4:30 a.m. Both the Windbreaker and the Chevelle successfully
refloated with the tide however, the Chevelle sustained a three
inch hole in the vessel. The Arcola was completely submerged
and sank off of Swanson Harbor. - More...
Tuesday - July 27, 2010

Alaska:DEC
denies appeal of its Cruise Ship General Permit - The Alaska
Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) announced last
week it has denied a request for a review of its Large Commercial
Passenger Vessel Wastewater Discharge General Permit. The permit
was issued April 22.

Campaign to Safeguard America's
Waters and Friends of the Earth requested an administrative review
of the permit on May 19.

A request for an administrative
review of a permit decision must meet certain legal standards.
Attorneys with the Office of Administrative Hearings determined
that the request fell short of those standards. It was denied
for that reason. - More...
Tuesday - July 27, 2010

Alaska:Teens
use 11 grants across state to reduce and prevent violence
- The State of Alaska Section of Women's, Children's and Family
Health (WCFH) has funded 11 mini-grants to youth groups throughout
the state in conjunction with Stand Up Speak Up!, a statewide
effort to engage young adults in efforts to prevent violence
and choose respect.

"Engaging youth in primary
prevention efforts is a great way to build strong future leaders
that will help change social norms around respect in their communities"
said Lori Grassgreen, director of prevention programs for the
Alaska Network on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault, which
distributed the grants.

The 11 grants were awarded in the following communities:

1. Ketchikan - teens
taught their younger peers a community unity dance and performed
it.

3. Shishmaref - teens
participated in a 3-day trip to promote the subsistence lifestyle
of their people and share their local traditional hunting, harvesting,
and safety practices.

4. Sitka - youth worked
collaboratively to create the Sitka Youth Leadership Committee
with the goal of promoting respect and building bridges amongst
youth.

5. Venetie - young adults
came together with parents and elders to bring back the traditional
dances used to bring the caribou to their people.

6. Wrangell - a group
of young people came together to form the Teen Action Group which
set up a teen night to give youth a safe environment to turn
to on Saturday nights. - More...
Tuesday - July 27, 2010

RE:
Cape Fox Corp. Lack of Respect for Shareholders By Eric Trout
- TO CAPE FOX SHAREHOLDERS: Marilyn Blair's letter is just another
attempt to twist the issues while protecting her real personal
interests. We all know there are two types of politicians, the
ones who tell the truth and fight for what's right, the other
politicians who twist the issues to benefit their own personal
interests. Marilyn has been in the Cape Fox Board room for over
15 years I would say she has a history and experience in twisting
issues. - More...
Monday - July 26, 2010

Water
Street Sidewalks By Chris Elliott - We have a one-way tunnel
with a road going the other way around it. Now we have parallel
sidewalks on Water Street. - More...
Monday - July 26, 2010

Skateboard
Park By Norm Noggle - I would like to second Vicky's suggestion
to develop a skateboard park in Ketchikan. I agree that the existing
half pipe at the rec center is very limited in developing skateboard
riding skills. I would suggest that if there are a solid number
of kids who want a qulaity skateboard park, then they need to
organize (with adult assistance) and begin identifying the assets
and barriers involved in the development of such a site. Some
of the concerns that need to be addressed include: - More...
Monday - July 26, 2010

Re:
Skate Park By Keith Woodard - Although I haven't really followed
the skate park issue, I can sympathize with you Vicky. I know
what it was like growing up as a bored teenager in this town
with seemingly little to do. And I'm really saddened that as
much community spirit this town has and as much as people would
like to help the youth here, there still hasn't been a new skate
park built among other things. - More...
Monday - July 26, 2010

Doing
Business without insurance By Terry Miles - Recently, I took
my motorcycle, that happens to be a custom chopper into a local
"Detail" shop here in the Ketchikan area, to have it
cleaned and detailed. The bike is worth about $75k... it's a
custom. - More...
Monday - July 26, 2010

Concerned
about Japanese Knotweed By Melinda Stewart - Browsing Sitnews
this morning I saw the letter posted on Rotary Beach. Reading
the description and looking at pictures online of knotweed, it
is EXACTLY what I have growing in my yard!! - More...
Monday - July 26, 2010

Goodbye,
Don & Lois Kralis By Bill Sullivan - I was saddened to
read of the passing of Don and Lois Kralis. They will be missed.
- More...
Monday - July 26, 2010

Adhere
To Immigration Laws By Donald A. Moskowitz - The federal
government, working with the border states, should provide the
personnel and resources to secure our borders. - More...
Monday - July 26, 2010

Wrong
one fired! By Hugh T. Wilson Jr. - I was a State Certified
Police Officer for the town of Metlakatla for approximately 5
years. I served the people of the community of Metlakatla to
the best of my ability and I never complained. I was fired June
9, 2010 by Chief of Police Nick Yliniemi in the driveway of my
home for reasons I'm still trying to figure out. Now after overcoming
adversity, working hard and putting the people that deserved
it behind bars, I now have to figure out how I'm supposed to
support and take care of my family of 4 with one (maybe 2) on
the way. - More...
Monday - July 19, 2010

Glad
for our black bears By Judith Green - OK Ketchikan, aren't
we glad for our black bear population? Gives us lots of opportunity
for photos and stories, along with eye to eye viewing. I never
get tired of yet another picture of these grand creatures with
whom we share a love for local-wild salmon and fresh off the
bush vitamin packed berries. - More...
Monday - July 19, 2010

Skate
park By Vicky Campo - I want to know when our kids are going
to get their skate park. Everything I hear is that there is always
a reason why it isn't being pursued. My son is a skate boarder
and he is also involved in a lot of Ketchikan's activities including
High School. He is involved in basketball, football, and baseball.
These kids are always being told that can't skateboard anywhere
in Ketchikan besides the rec center, with the talent they have
the rec center only allows so much for them. - More...
Monday - July 19, 2010

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